2014 Oshkosh Airshow had welding workshops and all major vendors were present.

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Something to consider if you're able to attend an airshow is that workshops are generally offered. They're usually about 3 hours long, some are whole day clinics with a break for lunch. --I took a Sheet Metal 101 and a TIG 101 workshop. They were free with general admission. --The Sheet Metal 101 class was well attended. They had 80 chairs that were filled a half hour before they started and at least another 40 people standing by the time they got going. There were 40 work stations and about 20 volunteers present to assist. The 1st portion of the workshop was an introduction to the tools used. --All the tools were labeled and available to be handled. --MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:The next segment was a slide presentation. It was a basic overview of the riveting process. After which, those standing were informed there weren't enough stations or kits to accommodate them in that session.... only for those seated. Only mentioning that because if one really wants an opportunity to try their hand at riveting.... get to the workshop early and claim a seat. --Those seated were asked to shake the hand of the person sitting next to them because we'd be working in teams at each work station. Nice ice breaker. I'd met a friend there and worked with him. --From there we went to the stations and where volunteers were positioned between every two "teams". Our volunteer went through what was in our toolboxes and what we would be doing blow by blow then passed us the instructions and let us have at our project. The volunteers were wonderful.... very pleasant and well qualified to step in if they spotted anyone struggling. The third photo is our volunteer correcting me. I don't recall what I screwed up but... he "righted" my mistake. --MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:Ta da!!! The finished project. Two types of rivets. All of them were functional. Any rivets that are "off" are mine.... the others were my partner's.  He took to riveting like a duck takes to water!!! ----The instructors and the volunteers were a cut above and the project was well chosen because it was just enough to give attendees a “taste” of what’s required to rivet properly.MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:The TIG 101 workshop was sponsored by Lincoln. Really nice guys. --It too was well attended and lasted about 3 hours. Fortunately, it started raining and some attendees left. More left when it started down pouring. Good thing for every one who stuck it out because they only had 5 welding stations in the back. --I attended this because I just wanted to get a feel for it. I found TIG welding to be easier than anticipated. Perhaps learning how to MIG and soldering stained glass in the past made a difference for me? Some people really struggled but they worked with each person until they finished their practice run. --Here's mine.... I know... it's sucky but it was fun. ----I gained a true appreciation for why so many members practice on razor blades and pop cans. --If you're new to welding, I'd highly recommend attending any gathering that offers clinics and workshops... even if you know you won't use what you learn. They provide opportunities that can't be found elsewhere.MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:Cool ! Any knowledge gained is worth it. Anybody can do it with those fancy tools ; ok almost anyone. It's more fun struggling and swearing. NOT !
Reply:No swearing but.... I will admit to saying oopsie a few times. We laughed a lot. It was a real low pressure environment. Truly a great way to get exposure to a process. --Brownie points for anyone who can guess which 3 rivets were done by me in each column and which 2 rivets in each column were done by my "partner". MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:''Brownie points for anyone who can guess which 3 rivets were done by me in each column and which 2 rivets in each column were done by my "partner". I would say yours are the bottom three.
Reply:I've heard a lot of good things about the EAA's flyin at Oshkosh. I've heard the OA seminars are top notch.  It doesn't at all surprise me that the others seminars are great also. If there is anyone who still regularly does OA welding, it's in the experimental aircraft community. I'd love to attend one day and brush up on my OA skills. If there is one area I could really use more time and practice in, it would be OA welding..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:A-W-E-S-O-M-EAs a lifetime aviation enthusiast, attending Oshkosh is absolutely top of my bucket list. Unaware of the welding workshop, but this effectively covers both hobbies with one vacation....Hobbyist - At what point is a "hobby" out-of-control?